Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too thank Deputies Ward and Gould for the opportunity to discuss the important topic of dual diagnosis. I highlight the progress made in relation to dual diagnosis under the national drugs strategy, which comes under my remit as the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, represents a whole-of-government response to the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland. As Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I assure Deputies that the Government is committed to its full implementation. Giving people a say in their own treatment and supporting them to play a role in their own recovery as part of a health-led, person-centred approach is at the heart of the strategy. Improving outcomes for people with co-occurring mental illness and substance misuse problems is a key strategic action under the national drugs strategy.

In this context, I welcome the work under way in the HSE on dual diagnosis. It is important that people with a dual diagnosis receive an assessment, onward referral and timely access to appropriate treatment. People presenting with both addiction and mental health problems are often among the most vulnerable in our society. We must ensure that the treatment given to these individuals is based on a strong evidence base and drawn from best practice. I am aware the recent Health Research Board evidence review on dual diagnosis treatment services demonstrates that there is good evidence that greater integration of mental health and addiction services leads to improved treatment outcomes among this group, and this is very welcome.

Enhancing access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community was identified as one of the six strategic priorities in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy, which was completed in 2022. I understand that the strategic implementation group as well, which includes representation from drug and alcohol task forces, the HSE, Tusla and the community and voluntary sector has identified dual diagnosis as a priority area of focus for enhancing services in community settings. I look forward to seeing this new initiative implemented and to hearing about the progress that will be made. I am confident that this initiative will help in improving people's lives and help them on the road to recovery.

As mentioned earlier by the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, this week the Government agreed to establish a citizens' assembly on drug use. This assembly will look at all aspects of drug use in Ireland today, including what changes might be made at a policy, legislative and operational level to reduce the harmful effects of illicit drug use. The work of the assembly will be very important to ongoing discussions on dual diagnosis, including the Bill before us. Allowing the work of the assembly to take place will better inform the debate on this Bill in 12 months' time.

As we all know, mental illness and addiction frequently occur together but have traditionally been treated separately, often in isolation. I echo the comments of my colleague Deputy Butler about the progress of the HSE's clinical programme for dual diagnosis and welcome the implementation of the HSE's model of care following approval from the College of Psychiatrists. I welcome the progress with the selection of the dual diagnosis sites across the country and the commencement of recruitment of posts for these sites, beginning with CHOs 3, 4 and 9, as mentioned by Deputy Butler. I look forward to the further roll-out of the model of care across the remaining CHOs. As the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, stated, further resourcing will be needed to continue the roll-out of the teams and the model of care and we will continue to seek any additional funding required in future Estimates processes.

I confirm that we as a Government are not opposed to the Bill before us. However, the timed amendment will afford the Department of Health the space to progress the matter in collaboration with Deputies to ensure the challenges faced by those with a dual diagnosis in accessing services appropriate to their needs can be met and tackled. I thank everyone for the valuable contributions they have made this evening. I thank Deputies Ward and Gould for raising the matter and I look forward to further progress being made on it in due course.

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